The death penalty or capital punishment is the punishment by death for a crime. Currently 58 countries worldwide allow the death penalty (including the U.S.) while 97 countries have outlawed it. Since the 1970s executions in the U.S. have declined every year. In 2021 five states and the federal government carried out 11 executions. The decline is part of a decadeslong trend as the costs associated with seeking the death penalty, the lengthy appeals process often associated with capital punishment, concerns about executing the innocent and a long-term decline in crime rates have caused many prosecutors and legislators in the U.S. to pull back from capital punishment.
Response rates from 7.5m America voters.
69% Yes |
31% No |
56% Yes |
26% No |
13% Yes, but only for horrific crimes with undeniable evidence |
2% No, too many people are innocently convicted |
1% Yes, but the victim’s family should decide the punishment |
2% No, spending life in prison is a harsher sentence |
Trend of support over time for each answer from 7.5m America voters.
Loading data...
Loading chart...
Trend of how important this issue is for 7.5m America voters.
Loading data...
Loading chart...
Unique answers from America voters whose views went beyond the provided options.
@cryingleftist4yrs4Y
The offender should have a choice between life in prison and the death penalty.
@8CGS9HS4yrs4Y
No. The government does not have the authority to kill a citizen for any reason.
@5BPWZYZ4yrs4Y
Those who are for the death penalty are hypocritical. You are killing someone because they killed someone... you are punishing them for a crime that you are committing by killing them. And if you kill that person they don't have to live with the wrongs they have done. Spending life in prison is way more harsh then killing them.
@4WVPX4L4yrs4Y
No. Some people deserve to die. In fact, let's expand it to include child molesters, corrupt politicians, and the jerk who steals my parking space.
@4Z7HS5V4yrs4Y
No, anyone can be rehabilitated.
@9GN5KWP12mos12MO
Yes, but only for the most horrific crimes with absolutely undeniable evidence and if they’re deemed too dangerous to themselves and others or likely to escape a life sentence in prison
@4Z3Q5XR4yrs4Y
Yes and all death row prisoners should give up all rights and we should use body parts of all death row convicts as needed to save the lives of law abiding citizens
@5F2HBVH4yrs4Y
For fascists and pedophiles, but it should be done on a community-based protocol, not through the federal government.
Stay up-to-date on the most recent “Death Penalty” news articles, updated frequently.
Join in on the most popular conversations.